The Chinese Dream vs. the American Dream

The “Chinese dream,” was an ambiguous term leaders began tossing around a few years ago when outlining a path to revive their country as a global economic and military power.

Many wondered whether the term would take hold, and new research suggests that it has deeply penetrated the psyche of regular citizens.

According to a survey of 500 Chinese, 500 Americans and 500 Britons by research firm Millward Brown and media company WPP, the Chinese dream apparently trumps the others.

Of the Chinese citizens surveyed, 70% said achieving the “Chinese dream” is personally important to them, compared with 65% of Americans and 39% of Britons for their respective national dreams.

According to the study, many Chinese support the concept out of true belief or for pragmatic reasons, “because being in accord with the government is the best assurance of getting what they need.”

But Chinese don’t view their “Chinese dream” as simply a copycat of the American dream, a term that was popularized in the 1930s and has been widely used in literature and pop culture to suggest success and prosperity. Rather, many Chinese see their dream as a path to a more prosperous and equitable society, and an optimism about the future, the study said.

Many Chinese are optimistic about their future.

European Pressphoto Agency

The study found that 61% of Chinese respondents said the “Chinese dream” makes them feel more confident in the future of their country, while 66% say it makes them feel more confident about their own personal future.

But Americans were more certain about China’s rise; 55% of Americans surveyed said they expect China’s power to equal the U.S.’s in 10 years versus just 45% of Chinese.

Here’s a look at how citizens in China and the U.S. view their national dreams and the strategies they think they need to employ to achieve them:

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